A three-run first inning proved to be enough support for Darren McCaughan and the rest of the Dirtbags pitchers on Friday, as Long Beach State (42-18-1) held on in the ninth for a 3-0 win over rivals Cal State Fullerton (37-22) at Blair Field. LBSU now leads the Long Beach Super Regional, 1-0, and can advance to the College World Series with a win on Saturday.

McCaughan showed the sellout crowd why he was recently awarded Big West Pitcher of the Year for the second time in as many seasons. The junior righty was perfect through the first four innings, and only allowed a pair of doubles, two walks and a hit by pitch in his 7.0 innings of work. He also totaled seven strikeouts, giving him 104 in 122.1 innings this season. That's the most innings thrown by a Dirtbags pitcher in a season since Cesar Ramos threw 126.0 innings in 2005.